Past and Future Blast

The Garden Island Arts Council is sponsoring the Koke'e Hawaiian Music Songwriters Camp this weekend.

What a blessing! I hauled Ukuleleboi and Kahaku up the hill this afternoon after work and stepped into that special place where past, present and future converge.

 

Kokee Museum Director Marsha Erickson and friends were the first people we saw when we arrived. They were preparing firewood for the cabin guests and showed us the beautiful wood from the cypress trees that had been recently felled to prevent further damage to buildings, vehicles or injury to people.

The charmingly restored Conservation Corps Camp provides the cozy setting for the Camp.

Garden Island Arts Council President and Executive Director Carol Yotsuda was busy making stew while the boys checked in with Katherine Brocklehurst and checked out the bunks.

Before bidding them adieu and heading back down the hill, I "spocked" out the beautiful wood and took some pictures to share with the Kauai Wood Turners Club.

  

Wow! The honey-colored, close grained wood will make some beautiful pieces of art and music instruments!

So it was no surprise that I should meet Mickey Sussman on the way up to camp. Over 30 years ago, I was given a beautiful Sussman dulcimer for my birthday. It is in need of some TLC and I plan to take it for a visit to Mickey's place soon!

I would have loved to attend the camp myself but tomorrow is a special weekend in Honolulu with my Tsai-ko ohana to welcome home one of our friends on leave from serving overseas and a memorial service for another.